Construction recently began to expand a retail center in East Naples for more than 18,000 square feet of commercial space on U.S. 41 East. The expansion project broke ground in November for Rain Tree Plaza, which is across from Naples Manor residential community and next to Capital Pawn and Conty’s Motel on the East Trail.

The existing 9,866-square-foot structure with a specialty grocer and tire shop at 11222 Tamiami Trail E. will be nearly doubled with the addition of 8,156 square feet on the corner of Rain Tree Lane and the East Trail. The commercial addition and renovation are designed by MHK Architecture & Planning for Carmen Construction, both located in East Naples.

Joining Leal’s Tires & Wheels and Labadee Grocery convenience store at the new plaza will be Kava Culture kava bar, a spa, hair salon, nail salon and tile store, said Mel Slawik of Land and Sea Commercial Realty, the center’s leasing agent. The center is owned by Jack Hynes, who also co-owns Fresh Catch Bistro on Fort Myers Beach.